Hebburn school unveils plans for new all-weather football pitch
Plans for a new all-weather football pitch at a South Tyneside school could open the door to year-round sport for pupils and the wider community.
St Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Mill Lane, Hebburn, could see its existing grass pitch replaced with a synthetic playing surface, complete with floodlighting and fencing.
The application argues that the plans would be a “positive investment in local sports infrastructure”, offering a variety of football pitch sizes and training areas suitable for different age groups.
Proposals for the enclosed playing space also include ball-stop fencing, LED floodlighting and maintenance storage.
An accompanying design and access statement says the plans would benefit the wider community through the “provision of an enhanced playing facility and the opportunity for usage throughout the year”.
Applicants added that the development would ensure surface water run-off is effectively managed and would not increase flood risk elsewhere.
The design and access statement goes on: “The proposed synthetic turf pitch will replace an existing area that has previously been used for football type applications.
“It will provide access to a greater quantity of provision in a suitable location supported by effective and appropriate management arrangements, whilst implementing construction techniques outlined for the various specific components to ensure minimum waste and pollution is caused by the development.”
Planning documents added that the proposed development, if approved, would seek funding from the Football Foundation’s AGP Framework, which requires evidence of “potential community use”.
The design and access statement confirmed that “additional user groups that will be facilitated on the new pitch have been identified” and that a formal community use agreement would be drawn up as part of a final funding application.
A decision on the planning application is expected following a consultation.
For more information, visit the council’s planning portal website and search for reference 260607.
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